Unearthing young talent at the Australian Institute of Sport Women's Basketball program: Phil Brown's Journey with Australian Basketball
Warwick Cann
Director, Mentor Coach, Coach Developer & Performance Sport consultant specializing in basketball
Welcome to the Australian Basketball Coaching Spotlight Series, where we dive into coaching and history conversations with Australia's most successful basketball mentors from the past 50 years. Join us as we embark on five compelling conversations with each coach legend—including coaching lessons, mindset insights, X's and O's, hilarious stories, and profiles of great players. We hope you find this series as enjoyable and enlightening as we do.
This us a summary of the first coach conversation with Phil Brown a memebr of the Womens Game starting 5.
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Introduction to Phil Brown longtime AIS women's basketball Head Coach
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Kicking off for the very first time, we are honored to welcome Phil Brown. With a career spanning over 25 years at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)—now the Centre of Excellence for Basketball in Australia—Phil's contributions to women's basketball development are unparalleled. He led both the Women's Head Coach position for two stints and the GEMS Australian U20 Head Coach, successfully coaching for 15 years.
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Phil Brown's Coaching Journey Begins
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Starting his coaching journey at a young age, Phil Brown shares how he transitioned from being a player to a coach. At just 19 years old, an opportunity arose when a teammate relocated to Melbourne, leading Phil to take over the Division One Women's Club team in Canberra, Souths. Over the next decade, Phil diversified his coaching portfolio—working with boys, girls, senior men, and women—dedicating his focus to coaching and gradually making a name for himself.
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Phil recalls the vibrant basketball scene in Canberra during the 70s and 80s—a time of excitement and rapid development. Influential figures like Jerry Lee and Bill Palmer played key roles in shaping his career, and the transition of Basketball ACT (now Basketball Canberra) to the Canberra Showgrounds added to the growing buzz around the sport.
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The Canberra Basketball Scene
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Canberra in the 70s and 80s saw major developments in its basketball scene. Teams like the Canberra Canons brought significant excitement, with legendary coaches and players fueling the sport's growth. Phil recounts how the ACT's small population didn't hinder its basketball tradition but rather contributed to its rich, influential atmosphere.
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Amidst this, Phil's personal development flourished as he interacted with seasoned, professional players and scrimmaged in intense sessions—laying a foundation for his transition from player to coach. His mentors, including Bob Turner and CEO of Basketball Canberra, Terry Ryan, encouraged him to venture beyond club-level coaching, ultimately leading to his involvement with the Canberra Capitals and various junior representative teams.
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Joining the AIS and Early Experiences
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In 1986, a pivotal moment arrived when Phil was brought into the AIS to temporarily run the Women's Program while the primary coaches were away for international duties. This two-month stint turned into a longer tenure, marking the beginning of Phil's significant contribution to Australia's elite basketball development.
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Phil's initial period involved balancing roles as a university student and an emerging coach. The immersive environment at the AIS allowed him to learn under the wings of coaching stalwarts like Adrian Hurley and Jenny Cheesman. This apprenticeship was instrumental in shaping Phil's understanding of skill development, professional coaching practices, and player management in a full-time residential environment.
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Golden Years at the AIS
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Phil reflects on what he calls the "golden years" of women's basketball from 91-92 onwards. As the AIS women's head coach, Phil built on the strong foundations set by his predecessors and benefitted from the influx of incredible talent. The institute's structured environment, focused on both individual skills and team strategies, became a hallmark of Phil's approach.
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A major milestone was the 1998-99 WNBL Championship win, where a group of 18-year-old AIS players triumphed over senior teams, marking a remarkable achievement in Australian basketball history.
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Success with the Australian Gems
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Phil also had a noteworthy tenure with the Australian Gems, helping the team secure its first World Championship medals. Through extensive training camps and international tours, the Gems achieved significant success, which laid a strong foundation for future national team accomplishments and boosted the WNBL and Opals programs.
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Transition to NCAA and Career Reflections
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Seeking a new challenge, Phil ventured into the NCAA, joining the University of Oregon as an associate head coach in 2005. The change of scenery and coaching in a different style of play and environment provided fresh learning experiences, enriching his coaching toolkit. The balance of high intensity during the in-season and a more relaxed off-season allowed for rejuvenation and continued professional development.
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Returning to the AIS later, Phil took on the challenge of revitalizing the program, ensuring its legacy continued through his holistic and player-centered approaches.
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Art of Coaching and Key Takeaways
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Phil Brown emphasizes building relationships, creating an environment of certainty, learning how to get the best out of each player, developing a feel for the game, and maintaining consistency as the cornerstone of effective coaching. Drawing from his diverse experiences, he advises aspiring coaches to be patient, embrace lifelong learning, and coach through their personality.
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Advice for Aspiring Coaches
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Phil offers valuable advice for young coaches: avoid specializing too early; gain experience across various age groups and genders; master teaching fundamental skills; be authentic; develop all players, not just the superstars; serve as a role model; continually learn and evolve; and be patient as career advancement takes time.
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Conclusion
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Phil Brown's journey through Australian basketball coaching is a testament to dedication, resilience, and the importance of a holistic approach to player development. His experiences and insights serve as invaluable lessons for coaches and players alike, embodying the spirit of excellence and passion for the game.
Catch the full conversation here:
Coach Phil Brown Inside Australian Institute of Sport : Transforming Australian Women's Basketball
Stay tuned for our next conversation as we continue to uncover the stories and strategies of Australia's basketball coaching legends!